Put South Africa first - Pikoli

Johannesburg - South Africans need to put the country's interests first not the interests of political parties, said axed National Director of Public Prosecutions Vusi Pikoli on Wednesday.

"We as individuals need to be able to rise above party political interests when it comes to issues of the country," he said during a debate on law and politics, hosted by the University of Johannesburg.

Pikoli said the way the Constitution was designed, executive powers rested on the head of state. The president was the one who took decisions and gave orders.

"...The issue is not where power resides but how it is being exercised.. that's where the need for watchdogs comes in our society."

Law makers become law breakers

He said members of Parliament were supposed to be people of high integrity in society as they were law makers.

"But we have a situation where law makers become law breakers, for instance the Travelgate saga and some MPs facing criminal charges.

"MPs tend to want to protect party political interests against the public and parliament's interests."

He said integrity was crucial in society and the country had to encourage a culture of obeying the law, where people would do the right thing even when they were not being watched.

Pikoli said the country had a situation where Parliament failed to exercise its right of being a watch dog.

"...Instead it has become a lapdog, not scrutinising laws passed by the executive."

Judiciary

The former NPA boss said there was no threat posed against the judiciary for now but he was concerned about the pronouncements made against it by senior cadres of the African National Congress.

"Judges are applauded when they rule in favour of the ruling party members. But they are trashed when they rule against them and called counter-revolutionaries."

Pikoli is currently challenging his sacking as prosecutions head, in papers filed at the Pretoria High Court on February 18.

He wants President Kgalema Motlanthe's decision to be reviewed, set aside and declared invalid.

On Wednesday, he emphasised that this was not about getting his job back but about "protecting an important principle".

Comments

Thembi - 2009-02-26 08:32

Cannot gree more

JM - 2009-02-26 08:40

for president. This is a man with integrity and good character, not like the corrupt and uneducated dogs of the ANC.

Ray - 2009-02-26 08:41

I agree with you Mr. Pikoli and I only hope people like you prevail and those dirty corrupt politicians are brought to book.

Paul - 2009-02-26 08:48

Start your own political party. Might be a little late for this election but the next election you will receive more votes. At least if you win one seat you can still watch THEM. I will definitly vote for you.

prof - 2009-02-26 08:48

We as the voters MUST educate ourselves to what the parties have to offer in their election 'promises' and then ask yourself (and the party leaders) to explain HOW they will achieve that promise. It is ultimately our vote that gets the MPs to parliament. They MUST serve the voters. Vote with your head, not your heart. Please South Africa. We all love this country.

gert - 2009-02-26 08:51

All valid points in a democratic sytem, I will vote for Pikoli and I am white, just shows that we not all racists, I just hate criminals and hate even more criminal politicians!

Makhabane - 2009-02-26 08:53

Adv. Pikoli, you seem to present yourself as a person of integrity like shikota leaders. I am surprised that you decided to let Agliot off the hook just to get Selebi. This is despite the fact that Aglliot was arrested for drugs worth 350 million enough to feed the whole SOWETO and his involvement in the murder of Kebble. Is your integrity kicking in when you have to prosecute ANC leaders only? When are you going to prosecute Dr. Death Bason who killed a lot of black people?

DV8 - 2009-02-26 08:53

We had more people of Mr. Pikoli's calabre in the ruling party, SA would be the "America" of africa.
Hope you win your case.

nthatuwa - 2009-02-26 08:55

Our government even protencts those MPs.This corruptions comes down to local government & departments.Hospitals defend & protect their stuff when they've done something wrong(even causing the death of a patient)They'll do whatever it takes to prove how the death wasn't their fault.It's sickening.When are you joining COPE Mr Pikoli?lol

Michael - 2009-02-26 08:58

Because I hope he nails their asses to the wall!!!! I'm really not surprised they axed him, I mean what does the ANC government want with a principled, moral man in any position of power?

S - 2009-02-26 08:58

Well said Vusi. People do not realise how far down the dark tunnel we are with this government. People like you are create sparks of hope.

Andrew - 2009-02-26 09:24

Hope they get caught and sentenced coz they cant get away with murder. Who gives them the right to mess up our country, we all have a opinion!!! Anc must go into exhile

Tshepooo - 2009-02-26 09:36

I wish you the best in your case.We fought for freedom and we fought against the dominence of the few and now is the time we fight agaist criminal activities that are execised by the ruling Party. The Party that we putted our trust to. let go out there and stand together with Mr. Pikoli. let make it our responsibility to conscienties our fellow south african about the values and priciples.Let's VOte Against Corruption. Let our brothers and Sisters vote For UDM, COPE, DA, IFP and so forth not ANC.

What you say is what happens in the real world. Unfortunitly we are not part of this world. Power first then comes the money. Money rules. Simple as that. As longs as people can get huge payouts working within political party the rule of law will never be adhered to.

KAC - 2009-02-26 09:48

Good article. Vusi you are the man and I would definitely vote for you should you run for Sa president. @ Makhabane, what are you on about, do you think that Aglotti is the king pin, I do not think so he was just a high up gangster. Sometimes you have to bypass the little fish to get the big fish. I bet that if Vusi was not stopped, there would have been a lot of dirty laundry coming out from anc chiefs. On the Wouter thing, please grow up this excuse is getting lame. If they had anything on Wouter they would have made a case against him. They tried and failed. What happened to your policy about innocent until proven guilty or does that only apply for zuma.

Sinudeity@Gmail.com - 2009-02-26 09:49

Promotes corrupt criminals, but FIRES people with integrity. Look at Manto's deputy health minister, Pikoli. All for the sake of Zuma.

Filemon - 2009-02-26 10:21

and protects all their corrupt cronies. They shouldn't worry about going to jail because at least they can vote. People like Pikoli are there for the benefit of the country and should remain in his post.

DR ROGER MENSAH - 2009-02-26 10:36

WHENEVER THE MENTION OF GREAT MEN IN THE HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA IS MADE, YOU WILL BE REMEMBERED AS "PIKOLI THE GREAT".

Benny - 2009-02-26 11:31

When Pikoli was NPA Boss, he was silence.He worked for the SA Government and executed his duties without complaints. Then President Mr T Mbeki fired you.As a legal guru , please take legal steps to challenge the state and do not be a crying baby.Call for those who support you to pursue you struggle.Please challenge Mbeki and Lekota's of this world and stop calling all South Africans for sympathy. Start to call names when making allegations.
Ke nako.

Terryt - 2009-02-26 12:11

this man is too good for the ANC...look at their track record. We hope and pray that you win your case Pikoli. We need men like you in the judiciary.